Page 18 of The Mountain Man's Prize

He nods, wordless, something raw and wondering in his expression. I rise up on my knees, positioning myself above him, then slowly sink down, taking him inside me inch by exquisite inch. We both gasp at the connection, the perfect fit of our bodies.

"Christ, Lila," he groans, hands gripping my thighs hard enough to bruise. "You're so beautiful. So perfect."

I begin to move, setting a slow, deliberate pace, my hands braced on his chest for balance. His eyes devour me, taking in every expression that crosses my face, every quiver of pleasure that runs through my body. I've never felt so powerful, so desired, so completely seen.

"This is my choice," I tell him, voice breaking as pleasure builds with each roll of my hips. "You. Us. This life."

His hands slide up my body, cupping my breasts, thumbs brushing across sensitized nipples. The added sensation draws a moan from deep in my throat, my rhythm faltering momentarily.

"Look at me," he commands softly. "Don't close your eyes. I need to see you."

I obey, meeting his gaze as I continue to ride him, our connection deepening with each passing moment. There's something profound in watching his face as I bring him pleasure, in letting him see mine without reservation or shame.

"I never thought—" he begins, then breaks off with a groan as I change the angle slightly. "Never thought I'd have this. You. After everything I've done, everything I am..."

"You have me," I assure him, leaning down to brush my lips against his, never breaking the rhythm of our bodies. "All of me."

His hands move to my hips, guiding me now, helping me find the perfect angle, the perfect pressure. Heat coils tighter in my core, my movements becoming more desperate, more erratic as I chase release.

"Tell me," he urges, voice strained with the effort of control. "Tell me why you're choosing this. Choosing me."

The words rise to my lips unbidden, truth I've been feeling but haven't named until this moment. "Because I love you," I gasp, the declaration torn from somewhere deep and irrevocable. "I love you, Beau."

His entire body goes rigid beneath me, his eyes widening in shock, in disbelief, in naked hope. Then he's surging upward, sitting up with me still joined to him, arms wrapping around me in a grip that's nearly crushing.

"Say it again," he demands, voice rough with emotion. "Please, little dove. Say it again."

"I love you." This time the words come easier, flowing like a river that's found its path to the sea. "I love your strength. I love your gentleness. I love your pain and your joy and everything that made you who you are."

A sound escapes him—half sob, half groan—and then he's kissing me, deep and desperate and reverent all at once. His hips thrust up into me, taking control of our pace without taking away my power. One hand tangles in my hair, the other at the small of my back, holding me to him as if afraid I might float away.

"Lila," he breathes against my lips, my name a benediction. "My Lila. My heart." His thrusts grow more urgent, more powerful. "Come for me, little dove. Let me feel you. Let me know this is real."

His words, the emotion in his voice, the fullness of him inside me—it's too much. The tension breaks, pleasure crashing through me in waves that leave me shaking and crying out his name. He follows immediately, his release triggering aftershocks of my own, his forehead pressed to mine as he empties himself inside me.

In the aftermath, we cling to each other, breathing heavily, bodies slick with sweat and still joined. His hands tremble slightly where they hold me, or maybe I'm the one trembling. It's hard to tell where I end and he begins.

"Did you mean it?" he asks after a long silence, voice barely above a whisper, almost afraid of the answer.

I pull back just enough to see his face, to cup his cheeks in my hands, to ensure he sees the truth in my eyes. "With every part of me," I tell him. "I love you, Beau. I choose you. I claim you as mine."

Something breaks open in his expression—a vulnerability, a wonder, a joy so pure it hurts to witness. "I love you," he says, the words appearing to surprise him as much as me. "God, Lila, I love you so much it terrifies me. I never thought...never believed I could have this."

"You have it," I assure him, pressing soft kisses to his lips, his cheeks, his brow. "You have me. For as long as you want me."

"Forever," he says instantly, with absolute certainty. "I want you forever."

The word should scare me. Forever is a long time, especially with a man I've known for less than two weeks. But as I look into his eyes, feel his heart beating against mine, I know with bone-deep certainty that this is right. That I've found where I belong. Who I belong with.

"Forever," I agree, sealing the promise with a kiss that tastes of tears—his or mine, I'm not sure. Maybe both.

His arms tighten around me, holding me to him as if I'm the most precious thing he's ever touched. And in his eyes, I know I am. Just as he is to me.

Outside, the mountain stands guard, the forest whispers secrets, the stars wheel overhead in their ancient patterns. Inside, wrapped in Beau's arms, I am exactly where I'm meant to be. Where I've chosen to be. Home.

epilogue

Six months later

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